Volvo makes a number of minor changes to the 2021 XC90 lineup. Every model now comes standard with front parking sensors, LED headlights that turn with the steering wheel, high-pressure headlight washers, wireless charging, two USB-C ports on the back of the center console, and the company's Care Key, which allows an owner to set limitations on the vehicle's top speed. The plug-in-hybrid T8 is now branded with the Recharge moniker..
Pros Stunning styling inside and out, impressive list of features, quick plug-in hybrid.
Cons Coarse-sounding gas engines, harsh ride on rough roads, plug-in hybrid isn't as efficient as rivals.
Low-key luxury lies in the 2021 Volvo XC90’s serene cockpit, in its strong acceleration, and in its gray-wool confines.
Pros Proudly Scandinavian, inside and out Simple and sophisticated interior Tablet-like touchscreen Lots of models and trims Great safety record and standard active tech
Cons Base powertrain lacks potency Some flimsy materials in the cabin Not a performance SUV
T8 plug-in hybrid model now known as Recharge.Minor changes to standard feature availability.
PROS Elegant interior and exterior styling Spacious second- and third-row seating Hybrid powertrain provides strong acceleration and high fuel economy Many standard safety tech features
CONS Some touchscreen controls can be hard to use Voice controls don't recognize natural speech very well
Like the regular Q5, the high-performance SQ5 receives a host of exterior updates, including an all-new Sportback variant, for 2021 to freshen its look. New exterior lighting elements, a tweaked grille and bumpers, and new wheel designs differentiate it from last year's model. The top-spec Prestige gets OLED taillights as standard, and two new colors join the palette: Ultra Blue and District Green.
Pros Handsomely-equipped cabin, comfortable ride, decent fuel economy for a performance SUV.
Cons Not overly spacious, turbo V-6 doesn't match rivals' horsepower, handling not as sharp as it could be.
Sportier Sportback does well to not compromise on practicality, but you’ll pay a premium for odd looks.
Pros Impressively practical despite the roof, interior is still top of the class
Cons It will give you an existential crisis. What is it all for?
All-new model for 2021.Has a sleeker style than the regular SQ5.Comes standard with an adaptive sport suspension.Part of the first Q5 Sportback generation introduced 2021.
Pros Impressively comfortable ride for a sport-tuned SUV Luxurious but restrained interior design Nimble handling
Cons Infotainment system is distracting to use Less overall storage space than standard SQ5
